How should I format a list of contacts for import into the CRM/CSS?

The only two types of files that can be imported to the CRM are CSV (comma separated values) and TXT (text) files. We recommend using an Excel document saved as a CSV file. (See the file CRMBulkImportTemplate.csv for a template you can use when formatting your data.)

To format a CSV file properly, it is important to avoid the following characters: !@#$%^&*()_+=?/><.,”:;{}[]. Note that there are 2 exceptions for these characters. The @ symbol can be used only in the email field. The / symbol can only be used in the date of birth field.

Available columns that can be uploaded:

Title (e.g. Legislative Liaison)

Prefix (e.g. Mr.)

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Suffix (e.g. Jr.)

Date of Birth (e.g. 1/1/1960)

Home Phone

Cell Phone

Work Phone

Extension

Email Address

Organization Name (e.g. Arts Council)

Street Address

Street 2

Zip

City

State -- if address data is being imported, state column is required

Message (for importing Mail messages)

Available settings that can be applied to all contacts within the import (if desired):

Deceased

Restricted

Personal Code

Please indicate if any of these settings should be applied at the time of import.

If contacts should be uploaded and a new correspondence activity should be created for each contact, the following settings can be applied to all correspondence created by the import (if desired):

Interest Code

Sentiment (Pro, Con, Undecided)

In Type

Group Code

Assigned Staff

Out Type (Print, Email, Fax, Phone)

Letter Type (Form, Quick)

Letter Code

Received By

Activity Status (Open, Closed, Unprocessed)

Please indicate if any of these settings should be applied at the time of import.

HOUSE ONLY NOTE: Due to House of Representatives rules, bulk CRM data must be imported by vendors after the data has undergone a cleaning process by the House.